By Randy Miller -- the sixth, in his series of thoughtful articles covering ALL candidates running to replace Trent Franks in the House of Representatives. (See earlier blogs for other Miller posts)

In the AZ Legislature, Lovas Proposed Two Bills-- One Against the 2nd Amendment, One For it...Huh?

​Phil Lovas History: He was appointed to a term in 2013, not elected by the people to represent them. In my view, his history has not demonstrated dedication and loyalty.

Phil Lovas used taxpayer money to run two additional terms and then quit on his commitment to the people during his second elected term to take a job with the federal government that paid more. Shortly after accepting this, he quits to work on Trump Campaign for Arizona. Was this a calculated political move?

There could be no better news, today, than the announcement that the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLS) has endorsed former sheriff Richard Mack as the best candidate to succeed Trent Franks in the House of Representatives, for CD8. ​

It is a ringing endorsement! It underscores all the things so many of us already know about Richard Mack that set him apart from the careerist candidates running against him for this very important House seat.

The National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLS), Matt Nye, minced no words, pointing out quite factually that “Sheriff Mack has a proven record of unflinching leadership and standing up against the overreach of bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.”

​It's nice, for once, to read an endorsement and know that it is absolutely TRUE!. It gives me real pleasure to read, and reread those statements, by Nye, about Richard Mack as a passionate defender of the Constitution

Mack's famous lawsuit against the government was, indeed, a passionate defense of the Constitution, one that proved costly for him, personally. If I remember correctly, he lost his position as sheriff, because of it, But he did not flinch. As a serving sheriff, Mack challenged the Brady Bill, a gun-control scheme that required local law enforcement to perform background checks on prospective gun purchasers. Mack stood against it, despite the profound influence Brady had, at the time, having been shot in the head, and rendered infirm for life, during the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr..

So what Mack did was, in fact, what a true statesman does: Mack stated in no uncertain terms that the Federal Government has no authority to command local officials. In so doing, Mack became thefirst sheriff in American history to sue the Federal Government and win at the US Supreme Court. The case was based on the Tenth Amendment, states’ rights, and local sovereignty.

We could use a few more sheriffs like Mack was. But, for now, let's get this particular sheriff, this statesman, into the House of Representatives. Let's turn him loose on the globalists. We'll see if they can do any better than the attorneys--vanquished by Mack!--who were hired by the feckless, so-called, Deep State, to keep the Brady Bill in force. Voters in CD8 now have the opportunity to send this excellent man to Washington, DC, where he will be one more representative who WILL NOT CAVE to the blandishments of the RINOs--a strange group, in deed, who somehow still think they are in charge. Former Arizona sheriff Richard Mack can be trusted to stand firm, for us, against them.

In today’s debate, January 20, 2018, put on by the Chamber for CD 8, Steve Montenegro left several of us scratching our heads about the National Popular Vote, or HB2456.

First, he said “I never voted for this” even though if you look at house vote record there is a “Y” vote next to his name in the third reading. Then he says “It is constitutional under Article 2 section 2 of the constitution”. Now, he was getting cut off by the moderator, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on referencing section 2, which grants power to the president to be “Commander in Chief to the Army, Navy of the United States and Militia of the several states, when called into action” …. (Nothing near how to elect the president)

We need someone who can communicate well, by listening to others.CLAIR IS NOT THAT GUY

Means Well, but 'unable to ​play with others'

Although Claire hasn’t held public office, he is running for one and is asking us to give him our vote. This allows us to evaluate his character and personality as well as his skill set since he will have to work with others to move the country along in a favorable direction.

Clair is knowledgeable of the constitution and many issues. I may not agree with him all the time, on occasion believing him to be reading into an issue something I don’t see, but it fits his need at the time. ​Finally, no one can have a civil discussion with him. Clair is a verbal porcupine. Nobody can talk to him without getting poked. We need someone who can communicate with people by listening to others. I have tried talking with him. With Clair, your cup overflows with his thoughts while his cup remains empty of yours.

I asked her where the money went. She couldn’t answer even though she sat on the Appropriations Committee and had every right and duty to inquire.

I attended the debate and listened to all candidates. You hear the usual cookie cutter claims of “small government”, “balancing the budget” etc. Debbie Lesko is proud of her purported reputation. Although she touts her awards from various organizations as “champion” for tax payers by various special interest groups, she has to address a major glaring concern that isn’t brought up:

In 2015-16 Debbie announced to our LD21 that Greg McKay admits to “misspending” $40 million. This money was mixed state funds and federal grants to lower their staggering backlog of un-investigated cases. The group was appalled and I asked her where the money went. She couldn’t answer even though she sat on the appropriations committee and had every right and duty to enquire. I strongly suggested a forensic audit since the agency is also struggling with low morale and a high turnover. She said “I don’t think we can do that”. Really? The state mandates by statute that every year cities conduct an audit so why can’t our legislators do one on an agency they control?

Some Issues Need to be Pointed OutBY RANDY MILLER, LD 21 Part of a series of articles covering the entire field of candidates running to replace Trent Franks in the House of Representatives in Metro Phoenix's CD8 congressional district. ​

The CD 8 seat recently vacated by Trent Franks is a serious position. With everything we face in terms of corruption and crimes in Washington, we need an independent thinking, un-beholding, knowledgeable person with strength and determination to honestly represent our values while there. Voters need to check out all of these candidates, then decide which one they prefer.

Steve Montenegro is a candidate for Congress. He continually boasts he is of “Constitutional” mindset and knowledge. I like Steve and believe he is a good man. However, I believe his understanding of the Constitution, and his position as a legislator with political integrity is seriously lacking. I have had several conversations with him while visiting his LD 13. He stood up in front of the group, trying to explain why he co-sponsored the Popular Vote for President and stumbled over questions. I stood and asked why he supports destroying the Republic and our sovereignty and he told us that wasn’t happening. I asked him who was superior, the federal government or the states? He said the federal government. I informed him how he was wrong with constitution references and he then said “Well, we are equal”. Really? Once again, I stood in front of the group and challenged his take on this. Is this who we want to send to Washington?